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An irregular set of postings, weaving an intricate pattern around a diverse set of subjects. Comment on culture, technology, politics and the occasional rant about life.
Alan ... in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Friday, November 05, 2010

Something for the weekend - food, Brutalism, Diwali, Turnips and a gig on a barge

We’d a lovely meal in McKees restaurant a couple of Friday night’s ago. Their annual FREE Christmas Fayre is on this weekend, Friday 6pm-9pm and Saturday 10am-4pm, with an opportunity to sample their goods and order in time for the festive season. 28 Holywood Road, Newtownards, BT23 4TQ.

At 11am on Saturday, the Ulster Museum is the venue for a Brutalist building visit and workshop aimed at primary school-aged children. The museum itself is an example of Brutalist 1960s/1970s architecture, and there’ll be an opportunity to make your own Brutalist model. There’s a £5 charge and a booking link over on the PLACE website.

The Diwali and Samhain festival celebrations organised by Artsekta continue in the Ulster Museum on Saturday. Between 1pm and 4pm there’s a free “afternoon of Irish and Indian culture and creativity” with singing, dancing, crafts … and face painting! And between 5pm and 9pm, there’s an elaborate finale to the week-long “Ireland’s first Indo-Celtic Festival” with music, dance, puppeteers, storytellers and street artists. (£1 entrance for the evening event.)

Although the monthly Farmers’ Market no longer operates, Lisburn’s Castle Gardens will be hosting an Enchanted Food and Garden Market on Saturday between 10am and 4pm. Crafts, face painting and kids entertainers will be there. And a showcase of childrens’ entries from Lisburn’s (now annual) Turnip Festival will be on display between Saturday 6 and Saturday 13 in 35-37 Market Centre facing the Linen Museum.

On Saturday night, the Lazy Susans are performing in The Barge, tied up next to Nula with the hula (or doll with the ball or thing with the ring or officially Ring of Thanksgiving) in Thanksgiving Square next to the Waterfront Hall. The gig is raising money for the continued renovation of the barge. For £8 (£5 concession) you can expect an evening of a cappella harmony singing from the Lazy Susans (none of whom are called Susan!) covering songs by Bob Dylan, James Dylan, the Beatles, Mika amongst others. Tickets can be booked by emailing admin AT laganlegacy DOT com and then paid and picked up on the night. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. There’s no bar, so bring your own.

The Black Market runs on the first Sunday of each month in Belfast’s Black Box on Hill Street. Arts, crafts, clothing, food, books and … for this month, mulled wine and a piece of shortbread only £3 from the bar. Noon-5pm.